Resumen de Factors psicosocials en l'aplicació de mesures de bioseguretat en granges de bovins de llet a Espanya
The general objective of this PhD thesis was to find out the psychosocial factors that influence the implementation of biosecurity measures in dairy cattle farms in Galicia and Catalonia in Spain.
In the first study, in-depth face-to-face interviews were conducted with 16 farmers and 16 veterinarians. A grounded theory analysis was carried out. The importance of veterinarians as a source of information was identified, including their communication skills, the individual experiences of farmers, farm traditions and the availability of time and space of the farmer. Finally, the need to deepen the knowledge of farm workers and mandatory biosecurity measures was suggested.
The second study explored the tension between old farming traditions and routines and veterinary recommendations. It was based on Lefebvre's triple spatial model that addresses spatial practices (old traditions and routines), representations of space (recommendations) and representational space (final implementation of biosecurity measures), all of which are part of security ecologies. An ethnographic approach was used on two farms in Galicia and two in Catalonia. It became clear that farms have different specific contexts, and that the reasons for the positions of farmers and veterinarians, effective communication and common sense must be taken into account.
In the third study, eight focus groups were used, four for farmers and four for veterinarians. Farmers and veterinarians were found to blame each other for not following biosecurity practices. Contradictions among veterinarians and certain individual veterinary practices that participated in the study were shown to exist, leading to doubts and confusion among farmers. Different perceptions were also identified on the role that public administration should play in relation to training and sanctions to improve biosecurity. In addition, participants expressed different opinions on whether biosecurity measures should be mandatory or voluntary.
The fourth study explored and deepened the public administration's views on biosecurity through 11 in-depth interviews with representatives of the public administration, using content analysis. According to the public administration, biosecurity measures should be flexible and take into account the reality of farms, and that training and awareness raising should be promoted. It was also suggested that the public administration should provide advice to farmers, but through veterinarians independent of the official veterinary services. It was also suggested that meetings between the different actors in the dairy sector should be encouraged to generate active participation in biosecurity issues.
